2. Has the brand (company) disclosed the annual absolute carbon footprint of its 'own operations' (Scope 1 & 2) and has the brand already reduced or compensated 10% of these emissions in the last 5 years?

Microsoft increased its climate footprint (Scope 1&2) of own operations from 1.606 million tons of CO2e in FY14 to 1.728 million tons of CO2e in FY15. In FY15, 244.341 tons of CO2e were offset however. This represents a decrease of around 7,6% (see link, page 2 & 3).

4. Is at least 10% of the electricity used by the brand (company) generated from renewable resources, such as wind or solar energy?

For FY15, Microsoft reports to have used 100% renewable energy on total electricity consumption. But, only about 0,02% were generated onsite (solar), and about 4,5% were wind energy purchases (Keechi Wind project) (see also link, next question, page 3).

Questions about Environmental Policy

2 out of 5

1. Does the brand (company) publish a water and/or land use footprint and is there a policy to minimize, reduce or compensate this footprint?

Microsoft publishes its annual water footprint, which was at 3,006,894 cubic meters in FY15 (reduced by about 21% compared to FY14), and implements several measures to reduce the impact of its water use, such as using municipal wastewater in water-scarce locations (see link, next question, page 67).

2. Does the brand (company) have clear objectives to minimize waste, by reducing, re-using and recycling, and does the brand annually report the results?

Microsoft publishes its annual waste materials footprint, which was at 30,410 metric tonnes in FY15 (reduced by about 15% compared to FY14) (see link, previous question, page 3), and implements several measures to reduce the impact of its waste creation, such as office supply reuse, recycling, and composting programs (see link, page 67).

3. Does the brand (company) have a corporate policy for environmentally responsible disposal of e-waste?

Microsoft implements measure to reuse, refurbish, or recycle used computers and electronics from its own operations in an environmentally responsible way. Concrete requirements and annual outcomes of these measures are not specified however (see link, page 62 & 67).

4. Does the brand have a policy to seek out suppliers and/or service providers that conduct their business in environmentally responsible ways and does the brand provide concrete examples of this policy?

Microsoft implements a sourcing policy for its own devices suppliers / manufacturers that includes environmental criteria, but does not clearly specify respective measures for product suppliers / service providers for its own operations (see link, page 47-57).

5. Does the brand have a concrete environmental procurement policy for all electronics used - including servers?

See remark for environmental policy question 4. In addition, also for its purchased electronic devices and servers for own operations respective environmental policy requirements are not specified clear enough.

Questions about Labour Conditions/ Fair Trade

1. Does the brand have a policy to seek out suppliers and/or service providers who conduct their business in more socially responsible ways and does the brand provide concrete examples of this policy?

Microsoft implements a sourcing policy for its own devices suppliers / manufacturers that includes social criteria, but does not clearly specify respective measures for product suppliers / service providers for its own operations (see link, page 47-57).